Spring Hill residents want answers, action, respect after man's death

Most of the people at Saturday's gathering, organized by a group of clergy and community leaders, said they do not feel the officer's firing is enough.

KATIE KUSTURASTAFF WRITER

DELAND — Audrey Fletcher-Lee cut right to the point. "I hope you all are ready for why you're here," the DeLand resident told about 50 people Saturday evening at the Dr. Noble "Thin Man" Watts amphitheater in DeLand. Fletcher-Lee was the first of several residents of the Spring Hill community who voiced her opinion on the condition of the community and its relationship with law enforcement following the death of 38-year-old Marlon Brown, a beloved barber. Brown died May 8 after a DeLand police officer ran over him as he tried to flee through a vegetable garden during a traffic stop, which was prompted by an alleged seat belt violation. James Harris, the 25-year-old rookie officer who struck and killed Brown, was fired May 31, a decision DeLand Police Chief Bill Ridgway said was made "in the best interests of the community, the city and the department." Friends believe Brown likely did not have a valid driver's license the night of his death and cite his fear of returning to jail as the reason he ran. Brown had more than two dozen arrests in 20 years and was released from jail in April after serving time for drug possession. Even though Harris was fired, most of the people at Saturday's gathering, organized by a group of clergy and community leaders known as the Community Action Coalition, said they do not feel as if that's enough. "You think that's justice because he got fired?" Brown's ex-wife, Krystal Brown, said. "We are going to be patient, and we are going to be mindful." Krystal Brown said it was tough getting through their daughter Armani's middle school graduation without Marlon Brown there. "Somebody is going to be held accountable for Marlon not being there," Krystal Brown, 38, said. Marlon Brown's best friend, Ferren Harris, also said the termination was not enough. "That officer getting fired...that's just one stitch in a great open wound," Harris, 42, said. Fletcher-Lee emphasized that what happened to Brown was the "real deal." "It's got to be a real deal for each of you," Fletcher-Lee said. In addition to Krystal Brown, other members of Marlon Brown's family spoke Saturday. "It still weighs heavy on our heart and in our spirit," his uncle, Jim Horn, said. "Sometimes it takes tragedy, brothers and sisters, in order to get the attention of a community." Horn also encouraged residents to be patient but persistent, as the investigation into the death of his nephew continues. Several people also expressed the importance of voicing their opinions on the matter. "Don't be afraid of people's faces," Rev. Eugene Collier, a cousin of Brown, said. "Don't be afraid of uniforms. Don't be afraid to fight. Do not be afraid to voice your concerns." Another cousin of Brown's also touched on the community's feelings toward police. "The same respect we want police to give us...guess what? We need to give it to them," Gail Pasley said. Others voiced a desire for more black police officers. "At this point, it's not about diversity training," Anthony Armstrong, 59, said. "It's about representation." The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate Brown's death.